ReelzChannel unveiled its Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 programming lineup Wednesday during the network’s inaugural Upfront presentation.
The slate includes three new shows: Docu-series “Mansion Matchmakers” and “Branson Cab,” as well as scripted miniseries “The Disciples.”
The new original offerings join previously-announced reality series “Polka Kings,” which follows The Chardon Polka Band’s epic quest to headline Oktoberfest in Germany. The band performed at the Reelz Hudson Hotel presentation, where they were joined by the casts of shows “Beverly Hills Pawn,” “Hollywood Hillbillies,” “The Capones” and “Treasure King.”
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“As we continue building on the momentum generated by the success of ‘Hollywood Hillbillies’ and ‘Beverly Hills Pawn’ we’re excited to offer our viewers and advertisers a lively and fun environment in which to experience our network,” Stan E. Hubbard, chief executive officer of Reelz, said in a statement.
“Hollywood entertains and moves people in a positive way and our first-ever Upfront event was about capturing that and showing our network’s personality,” added Bill Rosolie, Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales, Reelz. “We have hit series, new original programming and a totally new daytime lineup and as an independent network we’ll leverage that to create opportunities for our partners that are a lot trickier for big networks to execute.”
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Original miniseries “Barabbas,” starring Billy Zane, returns to Reelz next week on Easter Sunday. Other additions to the REELZ programming slate include the recently announced original two-hour television movie “Bomb Girls: Facing the Enemy” and returning series “Hollywood Hillbillies,” “Beverly Hills Pawn” and “OK TV!”
Below is the slate of new shows announced at the Upfronts presentation, as described by the network:
Mansion Matchmakers – Premieres July 2014
When Hollywood’s hot celebrities, production companies and fashion photographers need exclusive access to a luxurious mansion for work or play, there’s one man they call: Paul Kim. Paul started his Image Locations business with three maxed out credit cards and a single cell phone. It wasn’t long before Image Locations grew into one of the leading property rental companies in America. Whether it’s a massive and modern location for a couture fashion shoot, a sprawling yard for a million dollar wedding reception, or a three month party-pad for a wealthy heiress, Image Locations handles it all. Navigating the turbulent world of the rich and famous is tricky and alive with drama, so Paul has assembled a team of passionate and loyal experts to deal with the outlandish requests, eccentric characters and million dollar deals they come face to face with every day. In this high stakes game, disasters loom and tempers will flare, but it’s all in a day’s work for the Mansion Matchmakers. Mansion Matchmakers is produced by Asylum Entertainment.
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Branson Cab – Premieres January 2015
In Branson, Missouri, life is about loving your family, having good times and making boatloads of money. Branson cab king Scott Thompson excels at all three. In Branson Cab, viewers go inside Scott’s family-run cab monopoly for a never-before-seen look at the entertainment hotspot where the egos and demands equal those of New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. But Branson is a place where flash isn’t coveted and people don’t put up with divas and Scott’s team of Ozark-bearded hillbillies and blue-eyed beauties know how to respond. Among them are Scott’s young daughter Jade, his wife and dispatch manager Karen, smoky shop foreman Tom, pirate-hat-wearing cab mechanic Rusty, Ad Sales and Marketing experts Tessa and Dawnell and their wacky group of drivers Jeff, Steve and Bobby. But mixing family, friends and Branson’s booming tourism industry makes for a wild ride and keeps Scott and his team working around the clock to keep the competition at bay and passengers happy. Branson Cab is produced by High Noon Entertainment with Jim Berger, Scott Feeley and Patrick Jager serving as Executive Producers.
The Disciples – Premieres Spring 2015
Breathing new life into the epic story of the 12 men Jesus Christ selected to carry the gospel message to the world, The Disciples miniseries follows the Apostles from the time they become the leaders and teachers of the New Testament, through their adventures of faith and heroism that take them around the world. Allowing viewers to share their burdens and challenges and be inspired by their devotion, the miniseries reveals the life-long mission of these ordinary men on an extraordinary journey. The Disciples is produced by Associated Television International.